Well folks, we are a few hours away from voting on election day. The very freedom that American citizens who 18 years old and older (this probably ought to eliminate some of the people that vote…have I showed my hand yet?) have the opportunity to enjoy has been paid by the blood of countless men and women, most of whom are forever nameless to us. Moreover, to the men and women who helped shape our Constitution, which guarantees the American people’s rights and freedoms, we owe a great deal of respect and gratitude when viewing history.
To some people, tomorrow is the end. All of the political “mess” is over. To others, tomorrow could be the beginning of the end.
While I very much enjoy politics, discussions of the issues, and history, I do recognize that many other people do not share that same interest. Furthermore, I believe that a person can be categorically “uninterested” in matters of politics, while still being wise in that same arena.
This leads me to make a few comments on the election, the potential future of our great country, etc.
1. Clearly, from a Christian worldview, regardless of which man is elected as President of the United States, this does not thwart the sovereign plan of God.
2. Also from a Christian worldview, no human is perfect. No human leadership structure is perfect.
3. I find it interesting that through the lens of Scripture, we find no prescription for capitalist governments. What we see, again not as a prescription but a consistent presentation of monarchies and dictatorships. [NOTE: I am a huge fan of capitalism because it is large branch off of the tree of freedom. Let's just be balanced.]
4. While there are a littany of issues that ought to concern followers of Christ (hunger, homelessness, genocide, abortion, etc.), in my opinion, Christians should approach issues from a “whole-life” stance. This would include standing for the unborn baby, the elderly adult during the waning years of life, as well as the many, many Americans with special needs, as well as seeking to find means to meet the needs of those who are hungry, sick, without a home, jobless, etc.
5. Being “whole-life” might cause people to rethink their stance on the death penalty. [NOTE: I do find it interesting people who are passionately pro-abortion and passionately anti-death penalty. What's the difference? Why are we as a country more willing to kill an unborn, "unplanned" or "unwanted" baby...which my father was the product of rape in 1945...and yet we as a country will fight legal battles for decades to stave off the execution of confessing serial killers? For that matter, many in our culture seek to give animals citizenship status, such as dolphins. Also, next time you go into a vet clinic or pet store, see how many "life" references you find. Are blurring the definition of human life? Are we elevating animals' status or are we denigrating humans to mere animals?]
6. Thanks to Joe the plumber and the myriad of intellectually honest Americans who have digested Senator Obama’s economic strategies, the issue of socialism has arisen. While many argue for a “redistribution of wealth” out of a desire for fairness, many argue against that same plan out of the notion of fairness of opportunity. I have a few related observations related to this specific issue:
6a. Which strategy is more given to the Church performing her mission? A government that seeks to meet the needs of people by using tax dollars or a government that allows people to have the freedom to spend/donate their money to charitable organizations (religious or otherwise) to carry out the task tax-free, thus allowing more funds to be administered in the meeting of needs? Basically, what should be used to meet people’s needs, tax dollars or tithe dollars?
6b. Which strategy is more given to the United States Constitution, the basis for our government? Which strategy honors the words of the Declaration of Independence, which states, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” As I have been raised in public schools and multiple universities, “pursuit of” and “guarantee of” are actually quite different.
7. When will people, ordinary Americans and our elected officials, gain a better grasp on fiscal responsiblity and that frugality allows people and a country to be better prepared? In other words, when you save and spend less than you receive, there is a good chance that you are ready in times of crisis. This is true of one family’s budget as well as our nation’s budget. [NOTE: If American people were allowed the freedom to pursue happiness and prosperity and not be guaranteed mediocrity, the government's bureaucracy would have less to "worry about" and thus a larger drain on our economy. This would be where the charity of followers of Christ and local churches comes in to play.] [NOTE 2: If the government would be firm on protecting the rights and freedoms as outlined in our country's Constitution to ACTUAL AMERICAN CITIZENS, this would reduce a noticeable segment of our nation's expenditures. Again, if compassion is needed, organizations/local churches exist to dispense compassion. Also, what is so wrong and not compassionate about enforcing our nation's laws?]
8. Whatever happened to personal responisibility? The death of personal responsibility, and for that matter a healthy “shame”, to reference Glenn Beck, has seemingly lead to a massive influx of morally bankrupt leaders, governed Americans, and American culture. What is wrong with fessing up? What is wrong with calling people to be accountable for their statements, beliefs, views, agendas, etc.? [NOTE: Personal responsibility would, in my opinion, require people to seek out education, try to better themselves, realize that there are people that are deadbeats and down right evil, work hard, risk failure, learn from mistakes, and plan ahead. In my opinion, too many people have simply chosen not to do the above, settle for less and be "taken care of". Furthermore, too many people have fallen to the idol of materialism.]
I have, and will continue to have an interest in politics. Politics will NEVER meet the true need of all people which is salvation through confessing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Furthermore, no one man, either nameless person in a nameless corner of the world or the President of the United States can change or thwart the sovereign will of God.
-jmj
GREAT post, Michael! Thanks for taking the time to articulate all of that!